U.S. New-Car Sales to Grow in 2013

With Europe's auto industry stuck in a ditch, global auto makers are pinning their hopes on the U.S. market this year with forecasts calling for new car and truck sales to cross the 15 million mark.

New vehicle registrations—a key indicator of auto sales—are expected to climb 6.6% this year to 15.3 million as consumers with more access to loans and leases continue buying, automotive forecasting firm R.L. Polk & Co. said on Wednesday. Since registrations slightly lag sales, the number of new vehicles sold could actually...